David Attenborough Portrait - Black & White Photograph
Black & White Photograph of Sir David Attenborough
In 2012, I was commissioned to photograph Sir David Attenborough for a German magazine—a last-minute assignment with details confirmed only the day before the shoot. Despite being in his late eighties, Sir David was still deeply engaged in his renowned natural history documentaries.
As is often the case with high-profile portraits, time was limited. We had just a few minutes to capture the David Attenborough portrait while he was being interviewed by the accompanying journalist. We swiftly set up a modest studio lighting rig, and soon he was in front of my lens.
Sir David was, as one might expect, exceedingly professional and courteous, though I sensed he wasn’t particularly fond of being photographed. In those brief moments, I aimed to create an image that reflected his immense experience and conveyed the profound concern for the planet that defines his later work.
Drawing inspiration from classic portraiture, particularly the style of Yousuf Karsh, I sought to produce a timeless image. The goal was to balance gravitas with subtle sensitivity, capturing a figure who is not only a celebrated broadcaster but also a passionate advocate for the natural world.
Capturing the Moment: Five Minutes with David Attenborough
The actual shoot for the David Attenborough portrait only lasted about five minutes. This is often the reality when photographing high-profile subjects—whether they are a celebrity, a CEO, or simply on a tight schedule, time is always a luxury. Despite the short window, the focus is on making every second count, ensuring that the image reflects the subject’s essence and conveys a sense of authenticity.
The real work, however, begins after the subject has left. During the film era, we would produce contact sheets, carefully marking up the selects for printing. Today, even though the process has moved on with digital technology, post-production is still meticulous and time-consuming. Hours of refining and adjusting go into crafting the final image—balancing details, adjusting lighting, and ensuring the photograph truly captures the subject’s presence.
Shortly after completing the David Attenborough portrait, I was commissioned by the same magazine to shoot a companion portrait of Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist and environmental campaigner. It was an honour to photograph two individuals who have dedicated their lives to conservation, creating images that reflect their shared commitment to protecting the natural world.
A Detail from David Attenborough Portrait
This close-up is a cropped detail from a different David Attenborough portrait taken during the same shoot. Focusing on his eye, the image captures the texture and subtleties often lost when viewing photographs on a screen. The delicate lines and fine details, such as the light reflecting in his gaze, reveal a sense of depth and character that can only be fully appreciated in a physical print.
For a portrait photographer, these fine details are crucial to conveying the essence of a subject. The tactile quality of a printed image allows the viewer to experience the richness of texture and tonality that digital displays often fail to reproduce. Seeing the image in print brings an entirely different perspective—allowing subtle nuances, like the texture of skin or the interplay of light and shadow, to emerge more vividly.
With a focus on fine art photography, I aim to create images that invite closer inspection, encouraging viewers to look beyond the obvious. It’s these smaller, often overlooked elements that bring a portrait to life, adding layers of meaning and depth to what might appear, at first glance, to be a simple image.
Sir David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough is one of the world’s most respected natural historians, broadcasters, and environmental advocates. With a career spanning more than seven decades, his pioneering work in wildlife filmmaking has not only educated audiences but also profoundly shaped the way we see the natural world. Best known for his landmark series such as Life on Earth, The Blue Planet, and Planet Earth, Attenborough has been praised as “the great communicator” for his unique ability to blend scientific knowledge with an infectious sense of wonder.
His lifelong dedication to bringing the beauty and complexity of the natural world into people’s homes has made him a global icon. His distinctive voice and passionate storytelling have inspired millions to appreciate and protect the fragile ecosystems that support life on our planet. His work goes far beyond television; as an outspoken conservationist, he has used his influence to advocate for urgent action on climate change and species protection.
In addition to his countless accolades in broadcasting, Sir David is an ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and has collaborated on numerous conservation projects, including the highly acclaimed series Our Planet. He has received numerous honours for his contributions to science and environmentalism, including a United Nations Lifetime Achievement Award, cementing his status as a leading figure in the global environmental movement.
Captured in my David Attenborough portrait, I sought to reflect his wisdom, curiosity, and unwavering concern for the planet—traits that define his legacy. Even in his later years, Attenborough remains a relentless advocate for the natural world, using his platform to speak out on issues ranging from deforestation to plastic pollution. His presence in front of my camera was a reminder of the profound impact a single individual can have on global environmental awareness.
The Portrait Reimagined:
In Cheese Cloth & Flesh
I’m often asked if artists can use my images as a reference for a painting or drawing. Generally, I’m happy for my photographs to serve as inspiration—as long as I’m asked, credited properly, and it’s not simply copied without permission. One of the more unusual requests came from textile artist Mary Pal, who wanted to use my David Attenborough portrait as the basis for a quilt she was creating for an exhibition at the Virginia Quilt Museum. Her interpretation of the image, stitched entirely in cheesecloth, was a remarkable transformation that I never could have imagined.
It’s probably the first time one of my photographs has been rendered in fabric, but not the last time it’s been reimagined. More recently, I came across someone who went a step further—a tattoo of the David Attenborough portrait inked permanently on their arm. Unlike Mary, they didn’t ask for permission! I have no idea who they are or what inspired them to make that choice, but I suppose I can’t deny that the portrait left its mark—quite literally.
